Join me if you dare, in a world of all boys, and not just any boys --- boys with super powers! Boys that have the power to melt me in a second with just a kiss or a smile, boys that have the amazing ability to turn my hair a totally different color, boys that have the ability to make my emotions change on a dime! My superheros!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Shocked by the title. I know...it was hard to type too. I knew that day would come. I knew just covering "the Mum machine & the Dad machine) periodically in the Usborne Books wasn't gonna cut it! I secretly hoped that Dad could really just teach this to our boys...but alas...he is a nurse now..and works all wonky hours. So it's all up to me. (I urge you to PLEASE read all the way through as I have copied a claim by my curriculum towards the bottom of this blog...it is very important...Sonlight carries a unique edition of this book.)

Grant it, I will give this to Mr. Incredible, he did take my "oldest" (well, most mature) child out for "the talk" because we knew he would be needing to know what was going on with his hormones, his body, and the rest of the world too. We want our boys to feel comfortable talking freely with us about this important change in their lives.

Well, that didn't go so well. He was "embarrassed", said that did not count as a "Dad Date" at all, said it was all good until "Dad mentioned girls!" This coming from the child who, when he was 8 or 9, responded to me when I asked him if he thought he might get married some day by saying this...and yes..I can quote this..because I wrote it down..."Oh Mom, I'm gonna walk around and keep my hands in pockets, and if some girl picks me, I'll marry her!"

Well, as a Mom...I like the whole..keep your hands in your pockets thing!

On Monday, it was a little uncomfortable. We hadn't opened Almost 12 yet, we were just reading their science book and labeling the body parts. So one boy hid behind his cereal box, one kept reminding me he was only 9 and this was for his brothers, and the other told me he would rather clean his room or write his "final copy" of his paper on Florence Nightengale. (That's one way to get them not to complain about writing!) Oh and a side note...after teaching details about the boy's and the girl's reproductive system...my boys have a greater respect for me. They are so glad to be boys - "girls have it way worse"!

I'm glad I talked about it with them...apparently, even though we have discussed this...tenderly in the past...it didn't sink in with my two (youngest/less mature) children. They weren't quite clear on how babies were made. (Somewhere deep inside, I kind of wished I could let them live with those illusions..hoping it would keep them from ever doing some very innocent things that may progress to less innocent things! ::wink wink::)

Tuesday we actually cracked the "Almost 12" book that you see above. Very candid, very real, Some of my favorite quotes..just to give you a taste for the book were these...

"When the Lord Jesus was twelve years old it was said of Him that He grew in grace and in favor with God and man. This means that He was becoming more and more useful and well-loved by all who knew Him. I hope that this will be your experience too." ♥

After clearly explaining the process/mechanics of sexual intercourse, it says this...

"This is God's wonderful way of growing His children, and we must be careful no to spoil the glory of His plan by joking about it or thinking wrongly about these things."

It proceeds to explain what to expect your body to do and feel during this stage of life. Talks about the day that God will give the gift of love for a boy or girl who will become your husband or wife and says this..

"God has made us this way, and it is right and good. But it is also a time to be careful.....God gives the gift of kissing and caressing primarily for two people who are married. He trusts you not to misuse this gift."

It talks about the dangers for people who don't wait until they are married; physically, emotionally and spiritually as well. We praise God for His redeeming love.

Then it ends with this..."If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success."

Actually, I want to credit my curriculum, Sonlight, once again for broaching this subject so beautifully, really all throughout their science curriculum - even from earlier ages..just enough information at the right time. They have wonderful books, from a beautiful Godly perspective that really do a great job explaining sex and marriage. However, "Almost 12", is my favorite thus far!

I have taken the liberty to copy what Sonlight has said about this book...Almost 12...:

"Written to be read page-by-page with a child, Almost 12 follows the progress of human life from conception to birth, highlighting key facts and important moral values.
With its question-and-answer section, art, photography, and easy-to-read format, children ages 10-12 will discover the miracle of birth in an effective and non-threatening way. Sonlight carries a unique edition of this title. We do not recommend the current edition from the publisher."

We're going to be opening this book next week: The Boy's Body Book!

We've not gotten to this book yet...next week! I think I'm more excited than my boys!

Mr. Incredible, affectionately called Dad by the young superheros, came home today as we were finishing the Almost 12 book. When we finished, the boys had questions to ask Dad too. I love, LOVE, that my husband and I can be truthful with our children. I'm glad they can see that living according to God's plan is totally possible!

Best moment of the day was when we sat around our table, held hands together as a family and my husband prayed over my boys. He prayed for the Lord to bless them, guide them through all the changes, to keep their hearts and minds pure and always conscience of the Lord. He prayed for their bodies and the changes they will experience. He prayed for them and how they should respect girls. He reassured them of his love and the love of the Father for each of them. He prayed for protection from the enemy and from outside influences. He prayed for us as parents that we would have wisdom in parenting. He prayed very specifically. There was not one giggle, not was squirm. It was precious beyond words!

Then I prayed. I prayed for the girls that will come into their lives. For the ones who will want to court my boys. I prayed for their future wives. I prayed and thanked God for my husband and the example he is to my boys. I prayed that we would always have open communication and trust with each other. My love for them grew in a way I didn't know possible. I love and care deeply for my future men.

(Friends, don't worry, we also talked about how this is for discussing within our family only. We explained how just like we did, other families will want to talk with their children privately too. Its for parents to explain to their children...not children to other children.)

So often we get caught in parenting the 9 &11 year-old's...and forget that they will be men someday. It can't always be
about the moment. In order to parent intentionally...we have to be
mindful of the men they will someday be.

For now, we'll "just keep our hands in our pockets" and be kids! After school today we played games, watched Star Wars, built Legos, ate pudding parfaits and had fun being 9 & 11! Childhood is too precious to rush...there will be no rushing here!

Friday, January 18, 2013

So far, I've been awake for over 33 hours. I'm not joking. My body is adjusting to a new "help-you-get-through-menopause" medication. It is suppose to help with my emotional/mental/get-up-and-go symptoms. Well, it has been...interesting.

Went to the doctor...thinking...I don't want to take anything..I just want to talk about my symptoms and have you make me feel better. Like...by saying I'm normal. She said I was completely normal...and welcome to perimenopause.

She said I was textbook. I don't have to suffer these things (and make everyone suffer around me either) because "this stage could last up to 10 years". I started to well up (because that's what I do now...all the time), and I said "I don't want to be medicated." She said the magic words..."Don't think of it as being medicated..think of is as leveling your hormones out." OK. She gave me options. I evaluated those options. I like somethings of both...so I walked out with...both. More on that later.

This menopause phase of life can be...such a private...personal...and painful battle. Unless you've been through it...it sounds...pathetic. So..I'm choosing this forum to be a little open. It's not been pretty. I've cried...for hours..I've been irritated easily, I've had no motivation at all and I've not been able to recover from things very well..emotionally. (that isn't even mentioning the physical symptoms).

Needless to say, I started taking the medication that is supposed to give me energy, some motivation (because I was SERIOUS lacking that!). This is how it has gone thus far.

Tuesday morning...2 hours after taking it...I fell deadly tired. I mean...like crawl into bed and nap for 4 hours...suddenly. (That was strange!) Well, we can't be doing THAT every day. Wednesday...I decide sleeping is for night time..I will take it at night. I slept pretty good. NICE. Thursday night..why rock the boat..do the same thing you did last night. I did. I've been awake and energetic ever since. YES...34 hours later..and I'm blogging. From 1:00 - 4:00 I was thinking..I wonder if they need me to rake the local parks around town..because I feel like I could do just that. Then I might run a marathon...oh whatever...triathlon! I am a little tired now..and I WILL NOT be taking anything.

So..that has been my trip so far. What is the purpose of this post...."Know Your Place"?

My husband is so dear. He takes this meat out of the freezer and I'm sure was scoping pinterest and has been salivating about red meat. Men do that with red meat. There it was, a beautiful eye round roast. I get home from co-op (remember I've not slept in well over 24 hours by this point in my day)..and I have these instructions printed for me. That was nice of him right? Why is he wanting me to do this? I've never in my life cooked pot roast. I followed the directions carefully...and it never reached the temperature it was supposed to reach. I stuck that thing with 3 thermometers...just in case they weren't working right. Blood just came out of the holes I was making. I'm a baker...we follow the directions...always! I made a few phone calls, shed a few tears. I tried a few things...my friends...one walked me off the kitchen cliff and another friend came over and took my boys to dinner...I sat and ate the salad that I made.

I could end the story there...but it wouldn't be my transparent self that everyone enjoys so much. Children are gone...husband is sleeping...I killed the roast...so...I threw that piece of meat in a bag, got in my bed with the large bowl of salad, a diet cream soda (in a nice fancy glass) and a bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream! If that doesn't scream menopause...I don't know what does! Don't judge me! I'm working on no sleep for the past 34 hours...and attempting to make a dinner that my husband won't even be able to eat with us. I know my place...it is NOT in the kitchen....unless I'm baking. So I ask...why can't they eat cookies for dinner?

Friday, January 4, 2013

Raw. Probably the best word to describe how I've been feeling lately. It hurts. It burns. I'm going through my own very private (for now), very painful journey. One that I'm confident will end up producing something beautiful. Isn't that how it usually is? I'm sure willing to go through the fire in order to come out refined.

He has worked so hard...against all odds..against all naysayers...he did it! It was very difficult towards the end. We lived a 5 loaf 2 fish miracle for almost 2 years. Now he has a job, a good job...but it is just the beginning. Time to make up for the last few months of famine.

I am able to see God's hand so easily when it comes to His provision. This time he is struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The horizon just over the mountain. The land beyond the boulder. It is January. We were very intentional during this season (so proud of my family). He sees everything as falling apart...all at once....

Have you been there?

Obstacles, mountains, crisis after crisis, things literally and figuratively falling apart right before your eyes. I can see where if you don't keep your focus..you can look at these "light and momentary troubles" and think they are never going to get any better.

Friends. We can't choose which scripture to believe or not to believe. I BELIEVE IT ALL! It is all for me. MY God longs to BLESS me. I'm the head not the tail. My Father own the cattle on a thousand hills. He has stored up for us...He WILL provide. I look back at His FAITHFULNESS. HE IS the same, yesterday...today...FOREVER.

I laid my hand on his head before the sun was even up this morning. (like he has done for me in the past). I called out to our Daddy...Oh Abba...remind him who he is...and the plans you have for him...the plans that are good, full of hope and a future. "Thank you" he says.."for caring for my soul." (We need each other.)

His Word is ALIVE and ACTIVE! It is! It doesn't matter that I feel raw...or hurt...or that he cannot see beyond the boulder..or that you think this will never end...it doesn't change the fact that HE IS!

This might remind you. I have a friend. She lives states away...yet the Holy Spirit uses her as an instrument to minister to my soul...PRECISELY...when it is needed. I mean...ALWAYS EXACT! Never fails, whether it has been a timely card, a plaque, CD or a song link...the timing and message is PERFECT.

Friends...ONLY God can do that! He is intimately involved in your life, in my life, in his life. Whether you believe it or not...doesn't change the fact that it is true! He longs to bless you. So just wait a second.....

You have to do it like I did. Push play...and then close your eyes. If you are brave...raise your hands just a little to receive what the Holy Spirit has for you. I pray this ministers truth to your soul...as it has mine.